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Denver Sunrise & Sunset: April 2026

Day-by-day sunrise and sunset times with golden hour data

In Denver in April, sunrise averages 06:22 and sunset averages 19:39. Days are getting longer through April at Denver's latitude of 39.7°. Golden hour lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. Times are accurate to within 1 minute.

Avg Sunrise

06:22

Avg Sunset

19:39

Avg Daylight

13h 16m

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MarchApril 2026May

Monthly Sunrise & Sunset Table: Denver

DateDaySunriseSunsetDaylight
04/01Wed06:4519:2412h 39m
04/02Thu06:4319:2512h 42m
04/03Fri06:4219:2612h 45m
04/04Sat06:4019:2712h 47m
04/05Sun06:3819:2812h 50m
04/06Mon06:3719:2912h 52m
04/07Tue06:3519:3012h 55m
04/08Wed06:3419:3112h 57m
04/09Thu06:3219:3213h 00m
04/10Fri06:3119:3313h 02m
04/11Sat06:2919:3413h 05m
04/12Sun06:2819:3513h 08m
04/13Mon06:2619:3613h 10m
04/14Tue06:2519:3713h 13m
04/15Wed06:2319:3813h 15m
04/16Thu06:2219:3913h 18m
04/17Fri06:2019:4013h 20m
04/18Sat06:1919:4113h 22m
04/19Sun06:1719:4213h 25m
04/20Mon06:1619:4313h 27m
04/21Tue06:1419:4413h 30m
04/22Wed06:1319:4513h 32m
04/23Thu06:1219:4613h 35m
04/24Fri06:1019:4713h 37m
04/25Sat06:0919:4813h 39m
04/26Sun06:0819:4913h 42m
04/27Mon06:0619:5013h 44m
04/28Tue06:0519:5113h 46m
04/29Wed06:0419:5213h 49m
04/30Thu06:0219:5313h 51m

Daylight Hours Throughout the Year

April Sunrise & Sunset in Denver: Complete Monthly Guide

In April 2026, Denver has an average of 13h 16m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 06:45 at the start of the month to 06:02 at the end, while sunset shifts from 19:24 to 19:53.

April in Denver brings lengthening spring days. Average sunrise in April is 06:22 and average sunset is 19:39. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in April

Day length in Denver in April changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At Denver's latitude of 39.7°, the rate of day length change in April is approximately 2 to 3 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Denver shifts by approximately 40 to 60 minutes over the course of April.

Golden Hour in Denver in April

Golden hour in Denver in April occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Aprilat Denver's latitude of 39.7°, golden hour lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in Denver in April: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in April begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in Denver in April

Civil twilight in Denver in April begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in Denver in April extends the usable light day by approximately 45 to 70 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for April in Denver

Shooting in Denver in April requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in April:

  • Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
  • Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
  • Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In April, Denver's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this April table for Denver are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Denver (39.7392°, -104.9903°) and the local timezone (America/Denver). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: April Sunrise & Sunset in Denver

What is the average sunrise time in Denver in April?

The average sunrise time in Denver in April 2026 is approximately 06:22. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Denver at latitude 39.74° and longitude -104.99°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 06:45 on the first of the month to 06:02 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does Denver get in April?

Denver receives an average of 13h 16m of daylight per day in April 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 12h 39m on the first of the month to 13h 51m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in Denver in April?

The earliest sunrise in Denver in April 2026 occurs on 2026-04-30 at 06:02. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-04-01 at 06:45.

What time is golden hour in Denver in April?

Golden hour in Denver in April occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (06:22 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (19:39 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is April a good time to photograph sunrise in Denver?

Yes. April is an excellent month for sunrise photography in Denver. Spring light is clean and warm, days are lengthening rapidly, and temperatures are generally comfortable for outdoor shoots. Sunrise at around 06:22 is a reasonable wake-up time for most photographers.

When does civil twilight start in Denver in April?

Civil twilight in Denver in April begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Denver's latitude of 39.7°, civil twilight in April starts around 05:57 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.

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